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The intestinal tract contains good or friendly bacteria that is essential to good health. The word probiotic means "for life". We are not born with probiotics; they come from the environment. Babies encounter their first friendly microbes in breast milk. Familiar sources include yogurt, buttermilk, kefir and miso.
What does friendly bacteria do?
Besides crowding out harmful bacteria, healthy colonies of gut flora can ease inflammation caused by food allergies, Crohn's disease & irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics boost the immune response by inhibiting growth of pathogenic organisms. Probiotics prevent diarrhea by improving digestion of proteins and fats.
Benefits of Probiotics
- Aids in digestion
- Improves immune system
- Prevents food poisoning
- Manufactures B vitamins
Key probiotics are:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium
- Lactobacillus bulgarius
News:
Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics restore the good bacteria. Take separately, when on an antibiotic. Probiotics work best on an empty stomach. Enteric coated can also be a plus as it allows more of the good bacteria to get into the intestinal tract.
Selected References
Newsweek March 2000
Page, Linda "Healthy Healing" 11th Edition
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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